Things looked pretty bleak for FAU Saturday when tight end Jason Harmon was sitting next to Alfred Morris on a table while trainers worked feverishly on Harmon's knee and Morris' ankle.

Both players returned to action but things couldn't get much worse could they?

Yes they could and yes they did.

First MTSU quarterback Dwight Dasher reeled off a 74-yard touchdown run where he went untouched for the longest run by a quarterback ever against FAU and the longest run by any player against the Owls since a 76-yard run by MTSU running back Eugene Gross in 2006.

Then when it was FAU's turn to answer, to look and see Smith sitting while three trainers tried in vain to get him ready to play, you could almost hear FAU's bowl hopes slip down the drain.

Again, nothing against Jeff Van Camp, who no only has great potential but showed it on that series. However, that was a situation where the emotional leader of the team is needed - and he wasn't available.

The same could be said for this week or the remainder of the season. The team is in a funk and Smith, often a calming influence is needed on the field. The question this week is will he be able to do that. If not, I'm afraid what will happen the next five games.

The Owls need Smith because he is perhaps the only player who can direct FAU's offense to overcome shoddy defense and a dysfunctional kicking game.Owl links